In the movie version that came out in like 1993 on Hallmark, it's set in America during The Depression. It's set in this very small town where Bonnie, a young girl who can sing, and her mom and younger brother live. She always reads the book of Rigoletto, where it is explained in the story how this beautiful, sweet prince was cut by a poisonous sword, that not only made half of his face ugly, but also left his heart ugly. If someone learns to love him, the spell would be broken. (sounds like Beauty and the Beast!)
I won't go into too much detail bc u really have to see this movie. But a mysterious man named Rubaldi moves into the mansion and due to troubles between Bonnie's home and losing their property to Rubaldi, Bonnie agrees to work as his servant every afternoon so that her family can keep their home. She discovers that he is a music teacher so she takes lessons. Through those lessons, his heart begins to soften, and also, he begins to perform miracles to the people of the town in secret, including healing of children and helping families get medical treatment. Also he is training Bonnie to go to music competition...
Like I said I can't go into too much detail bc u have to see it but basic outline is girl is servant of a ugly man, takes lessons from him, and learns to love him, (not romantically because she's a young girl) but it's a beautiful movie with great music!
"Have a child for warmth and a baker for bread and a prince for... whatever!"